Media Release: Scottish Six Days Trial – day one – James Dabill out for blood

DAY one of the centenary edition of the Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) has finally arrived.

One hundred years after this adventure first began, the lucky 276 riders have gathered in the West End car park for the start of the 2011 SSDT.

The history of the SSDT is rich, with only an elite group of riders having managed to put their name on the famous winners’ trophy.

2007 SSDT victor and current British trials champion James Dabill is keen to prove his victory four years ago was no fluke and that he has what it takes to claim his second victory on this important occasion.

Said James: “The SSDT is pretty much the biggest and most important event on the trials calendar as far as I’m concerned. I’m confident that I can fight for the win, as I feel strong on the Beta and I’ve ridden Scotland eight times before so I know what to expect, although you can never take Scotland for granted – anything can happen.”

Last year, Dabill finished sixth overall on 27 marks, just 12 behind eventual winner, Alexz Wigg, but he is more than aware that a certain amount of luck is needed to claim that elusive second win.

With the majority of the favourite riders changing manufacturer for 2011, including James from Gas Gas to Beta, an even playing field has been set.

“The SSDT is unlike any other event in the world. Not only does it take place over six days, the weather can make a huge difference and no matter how well you think you have prepared everyone needs a little bit of luck when it comes to Scotland.

“Graham Jarvis has won the event five times before and although he has ridden less trials recently he is extremely experienced and can never be dismissed as a threat.

“The same can be said for Dougie Lampkin – he is an amazing rider and always seems to find that little bit extra from somewhere.

“The SSDT is renowned for throwing up the odd surprise performance and Amos Bilbao has entered this year’s event so he’s certainly one to watch out for.

“Although there is some stiff competition, for me I know that I have what it takes to claim my second win,” continued the Beta teamster.

Despite not totally getting to grips with the SPEA FIM X-TRIAL World Championship as fast as he had hoped, Dabill has turned his season around by dominating the domestic championship, taking three wins from as many starts.

“The SSDT can’t really be compared to a round of the world championship, the weather plays such an important role not to mention the fact that it lasts for six consecutive days and our bodies and machines have to take much more punishment.

“I have an awesome team around me and a fantastic machine underneath me so there’s no reason I can’t take the title again,” ended James.

Marking its centenary, the 2011 Scottish Six Days Trial will take place in and and around Fort William between Monday 2nd and Saturday 7th May – for more details please visit www.ssdt.org.

The sport of motorcycle trials is a test of riding skill over observed sections where the winner is determined by skill alone. When competitors ride each of the 30 testing sections every day their feet must remain on the footrests of the bike. They must negotiate steep gullies, slippery rock steps, rocky streams and boulder-strewn gorges. Sections vary in length and severity, and riders are penalised if they put their feet down to help them ride the section, and more so if they fail to negotiate the section in its entirety.

The Scottish Six Days Trial has the additional test of reliability over long distances, with riders completing up to 100 miles each day over a combination of rough moorland, rocky tracks and public roads; designed to challenge the ability, experience, strength and stamina of each rider and the reliability of the bike. There is also a set time within which each day’s route must be completed.

100 years of the Scottish Six Days Trial

The event actually originated as a five-day reliability trial back in July 1909, before being extended to a six-day competition a year later.

However, the start of the Scottish Six Days Trial (SSDT) proper as organised by the then newly formed Edinburgh and District Motor Club began in 1911.

In those early years, the trial started and finished in Edinburgh with the route taking the riders to John O’Groats and back over the course of the week. Fort William was introduced as the hub for the event in 1938, although the start and finish remained in Edinburgh, which continued to be the case until all links with the Scottish city were cut in 1977. Today, the SSDT consists of six different daily routes that total approximately 500 miles, which begin and end in Fort William each day.

The Edinburgh and District Motor Club will once again be at the helm of this fantastic competition and will be responsible for upholding an event where club riders and the world’s best compete together over the same course that will include 30 boulder-strewn sections on each of the six days.

For more information on The Scottish Six Days Trial go to: http://www.g2fgroup.com/html/ssdt/docs/SSDT100.pdf